Other resources available on childhood infections: What about staying away from work/

What about staying away from work/
school/preschool?
Anyone who has the infection should be kept
Other resources available on
childhood infections:
•
•
away from other children. It is best if you keep
•
the child home from school/pre-school especially
•
while they feel unwell.
•
•
•
Do you require further information?
For further information contact:
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Your local doctor or practice nurse
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Your local Public Health Nurse
•
Communicable Diseases at Community and
Public Health
Rotavirus
Impetigo
Whooping cough
Ringworm
Slapped cheek disease
Conjunctivitis
Threadworms
C O M M U N I T Y
A N D
P U B L I C
H E A L T H
Christchurch Office
310 Manchester Street
P.O Box 1475
Christchurch
Phone: 03 364 7844
Facsimile: 03 379 6125
Email: [email protected]
West Coast Office
3 Tarapuhi Street
P.O Box 443
Greymouth
Phone: 03 768 1160
Facsimile: 03 768 1169
Email: [email protected]
Ashburton Office
Elizabeth Street
P.O Box 110
Ashburton
Phone: 03 307 6902
Facsimile: 03 307 8081
Email: [email protected]
Timaru Office
18 Woollcombe Street
P.O Box 510
Timaru
Phone: 03 687 2600
Facsimile: 03 688 6091
Email: [email protected]
www.cph.co.nz
Communicable Diseases
Community and Public Health
(a division of the Canterbury District Health Board)
October 2012
Code/Reference: MED0006
Authorised By: Resource Approval Panel
Hand, Foot
and Mouth
Disease
What is Hand Foot and
Mouth Disease?
Who is at risk of getting it
as fever and pain.
This disease is found worldwide and can occur in
epidemics.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a common,
usually mild illness caused by a virus. It is NOT
the same as Foot and Mouth Disease which
occurs in farm animals.
What are the symptoms?
The illness has a sudden onset with:
It is more common in summer and early autumn
liquid due to painful mouth sores and may re-
and outbreaks are frequent in crèches and child
quire IV Fluids
care centers.
years of age but adults are occasionally
Special care should be taken in washing hands
affected.
after:
How is it caught?
•
Using the toilet
The disease is spread by coughing or poor hand
•
Changing nappies
•
Handling objects contaminated with saliva
•
Poor appetite
•
Sore throat
washing. Transmission of hand foot and mouth
Generally feeling unwell
disease can also be directly spread from an in-
Transmission to others occurs especially during
blister and may form ulcers. These are usually
the early stages of the illness but the virus is
located on Caption
the tongue,
gums and inside of the
describing picture
shed in faeces for several weeks and this may
cheeks.
or nasal discharge
fected person
the mouth beginning as small red spots that
or graphic.
How is spread prevented?
It is generally an illness of children under 10
Fever (often the first symptom)
Fever begins 1-2 days before sores develop in
Some people especially young children may get
dehydrated if they are unable to swallow enough
•
•
Medication can be given to relieve symptoms such
In addition:
•
allowed to share toys
be a source of spread.
The skin rash will develop over 1-2 days with
A person is most infectious during the first week
flat or raised red spots, some with blisters and
of illness.
•
It is best not to share towels or face cloths
•
Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a
bleach based household cleaning agent
can be found on the palms of hands and soles of
feet. They may also appear on the buttocks
How is it treated?
and are not usually itchy.
No active treatment is required as sores will
Symptoms usually appear 3-5 days after
exposure to the virus and last for 7-10 days.
Young children with symptoms should not be
heal on their own.
•
Wash soiled articles of
clothing